Adding Hubs and Electric Brakes to Little Guy Trailer

Question:

Hello, I saw a previous QandA on this site similar to mine about adding electric brakes to this style trailer, though I have a variation. My trailer has a 2000lb axle with 14 inch wheels, and looking at the various parts required for this job, I do not believe the 7 inch drums suggested in the other QandA will work on mine. Just trying to confirm which parts will work for my situation. 1. 10 inch brakes:AKEBRK-35-SA 2. Hub and Drum: AKHD-545-35-K 3. Mounting Hardware: BRKH10B 4. Various electrical items wires, connectors 5. Grease The installation video illustrates a special tool to remove the nut from the axle Im having a difficult time determining the correct size of this socket-like tool. Do you know what that may be for this axle? Is there anything else Im missing for this install? Im assuming the video for the 7-inch brake kit will effectively be the same for the 10-inch. The trailer is already equipped with a 7-way connector and junction box. Thanks!

asked by: Ian K

Expert Reply:

The first thing I recommend doing is making sure that the axle on your Little Guy trailer is equipped with mounting flanges for brakes. If not, these will needed to be welded in place by a qualified welder. Otherwise you will need to replace the axle with a properly rated unit that already has the brake flanges welded in place.

I then recommend confirming that the etrailer.com Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly # AKHD-545-35-K you referenced is compatible with the spindles on your Little Guy Trailer. Since your trailer is equipped with 2,000 pound axles, this 3,500 pound hub may use different bearings than what will fit over the spindles. I recommend pulling an existing hub and checking the bearing numbers that are used, which should be stamped right inside the bearings themselves. You can also take a few measurements along the spindle with a digital caliper like # PTW80157 (see attached image) if you can't read the numbers.

This hub assembly (along with most other 3,500 pound hubs) uses the # L68149 inner bearing (1.378 inch inner diameter) and # L44649 outer bearing (1.063 inner diameter). It also has a 5 on 4-1/2 inch bolt pattern.

If this will fit your trailer, then the 10 inch etrailer.com Electric Brake Kit # AKEBRK-35-SA you mentioned will work perfectly. I have attached an installation video you can use for reference. The mounting hardware # BRKH10B that you referenced is also the correct kit. For grease I recommend wheel bearing grease like the LubriMatic # L11465.

For wiring you will want to use 10 gauge wire like # 10-1-1 (sold by the foot) along with butt connectors like # DW05745-10. Removing the castle nut from your existing hubs is just a matter of first taking off the cotter pin and then using a pair of pliers to twist off the nut. I have included a video demonstration that shows both removing and installing a new 2,000 pound hub.

I have also attached a great article that details everything needed to add electric brakes to a trailer. Please let me know if the 3,500 pound hubs will not work on your axle and I will be happy to recommend hubs and brakes that will fit.